Traumatic dental injuries-Prevalence and severity among 16-year-old pupils in western Norway

Background/aims: Published data on prevalence and severity of traumatic dental injuries (TDI) in Norway are limited. The aims of this study were to assess prevalence, distribution and severity of TDI in the permanent dentition of 16-year-old pupils in western Norway.

Material and methods: A retrospective longitudinal study, including historical clinical data, was conducted among 16-year-old high school pupils in the County of Hordaland, western Norway. First-grade pupils attending high school, born in 1997, were invited to participate (n = 5184). Consent was given to access their dental records in the Public Dental Health Service in Hordaland, where information regarding TDI (diagnosis and treatment) and radiographs was interpreted. Only TDIs to anterior teeth were recorded (canine to canine in the maxilla and mandible) and classified using a modified version of the WHO's classification.

Results: A total of 2055 participants were included (response rate 40%). TDI prevalence was 16.4% (338 pupils), with the maxillary central incisors most affected (64.7%). A total of 637 teeth were involved. Boys were more prone to injury than girls (P < 0.05). Severity of TDI was divided into 3 groups (mild, moderate and severe), with the following distribution: 563 mild (88.4%), 39 moderate (6.1%) and 35 severe (5.5%). Peak age for TDI was 8-10 years (50.9%).

Conclusions: Prevalence of TDI among Norwegian adolescents was moderate. Milder injuries were more frequent than moderate and severe injuries. Age and gender were risk factors with regard to TDI. Seasonal influence on the occurrence of TDI was not statistically significant.